Liquid cleaning and disinfecting compositions

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to cleaning and disinfecting liquid detergent compositions and, in one embodiment, liquid hand dishwashing compositions, comprising a metal salt, preferably a divalent metal salt, preferably Zn 2+ -salt and linear alkyl nucleophilic surfactant, preferably a linear alkyl chain amine oxide. 
     The present invention further relates to methods of disinfecting dishware and/or dishwashing implements and/or skin using such a liquid detergent compositions.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to liquid cleaning and disinfectingcompositions and, in one embodiment, antibacterial liquid handdishwashing compositions, comprising a metal salt and a linear alkylnucleophilic surfactant, such as linear alkyl chain amine oxide. In oneembodiment, the metal salt can be a divalent metal salt, preferablyZn²⁺-salt.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The cleaning and disinfecting of hard surfaces is important in bothresidential and commercial settings. The increasing importance ofhygiene combined with the fast moving pace of the modern world hascreated a need for antibacterial products with fast cleaning anddisinfecting action. The main concerns are to effectively reducebacteria and maintain a consumer acceptable aesthetics profile whileproducing an acceptable human and environmentally safe composition. Aswill be appreciated, this implicitly puts constraints on the amount andtype of chemicals that can be used to formulate a commerciallyacceptable composition.

As such, there remains a need for a cleaning and disinfecting productwith a much more efficient antibacterial system that also maintains aconsumer acceptable aesthetics profile while producing an acceptablehuman and environmentally safe composition.

It has surprisingly been found that when combining a metal salt,preferably a divalent metal salt, and, in one embodiment, Zn²⁺-salt,with a linear alkyl nucleophilic surfactant with antibacterial activity,such as linear alkyl amine oxide, an unexpected antibacterial killingefficiency boost to the linear alkyl nucleophilic surfactant has beenobserved as compared to when the linear alkyl nucleophilic surfactant isformulated alone. As such, the intrinsic antibacterial efficacy oflinear nucleophilic surfactants, such as linear alkyl amine oxide, isfurther leveraged and the need for further antibacterial technologies islimited, minimizing the impact on product aesthetics and human andenvironmental safety profile accordingly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides improvements in liquid cleaning anddisinfecting compositions and in one embodiment liquid antibacterialdishwashing detergent compositions.

In one embodiment, a liquid cleaning and disinfecting compositioncomprises a linear alkyl nucleophilic surfactant and a metal salt. Thelinear alkyl nucleophilic surfactant is selected from the group ofconsisting of an anionic surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant, anamphoteric surfactant, semi-polar surfactant, and mixtures thereof.

In another embodiment, a liquid cleaning and disinfecting compositioncomprises a linear alkyl nucleophilic surfactant and a metal-salt. Thelinear alkyl nucleophilic surfactant is selected from the group ofconsisting of an anionic surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant, anamphoteric surfactant, semi-polar surfactant, and mixtures thereof. Theratio of linear alkyl nucleophilic surfactant to the metal ion isbetween about 10 to about 300.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the liquid cleaningand disinfecting composition comprises a linear alkyl amine oxide and ametal-salt. The combined linear alkyl amine oxide and metal saltprovides an improved antibacterial efficacy versus when testing thelinear alkyl amine oxide alone, in accordance with the ASTM E2149 shakeflask method.

The present invention further relates to methods of cleaning anddisinfecting hard and soft surfaces, such as dishware and dishwashingadjacencies, and laundry with improved cleaning and disinfecting liquiddetergent compositions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to liquid cleaning and disinfectingcompositions and, in one embodiment, antibacterial liquid handdishwashing compositions, comprising a metal salt and a linear alkylnucleophilic surfactant, such as linear alkyl chain amine oxide. In oneembodiment, the metal salt can be a divalent metal salt, preferablyZn²⁺-salt.

As used herein “grease” means materials comprising at least in part(i.e., at least 0.5 wt % by weight of the grease) saturated andunsaturated fats and oils, preferably oils and fats derived from animalsources such as beef and/or chicken.

As used herein “suds profile” means the amount of sudsing (high or low)and the persistence of sudsing (sustained sudsing) throughout thewashing process resulting from the use of the liquid detergentcomposition of the present composition. As used herein “high sudsing”refers to liquid hand dishwashing detergent compositions which are bothhigh sudsing (i.e. a level of sudsing considered acceptable to theconsumer) and have sustained sudsing (i.e. a high level of sudsingmaintained throughout the dishwashing operation). This is particularlyimportant with respect to liquid dishwashing detergent compositions asthe consumer uses high sudsing as an indicator of the performance of thedetergent composition. Moreover, the consumer of a liquid dishwashingdetergent composition also uses the sudsing profile as an indicator thatthe wash solution still contains active detergent ingredients. Theconsumer usually renews the wash solution when the sudsing subsides.Thus, a low sudsing liquid dishwashing detergent composition formulationwill tend to be replaced by the consumer more frequently than isnecessary because of the low sudsing level.

As used herein “dishware” means a surface such as dishes, glasses, pots,pans, baking dishes and flatware made from ceramic, china, metal, glass,plastic (polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, etc.) and wood.

As used herein “dishwashing cleaning device or implement” means physicaltools to be applied by the consumer during the dishwashing process toget the soil physically removed from the dishware, including but notlimited to cloths, sponges and brushes.

As used herein “liquid detergent compositions” means liquid handdishwashing detergent compositions, heavy duty liquid laundry detergentcompositions and liquid hard surface detergent compositions.

As used herein “liquid hand dishwashing detergent composition” refers tothose compositions that are employed in manual (i.e. hand) dishwashing.Such compositions are generally high sudsing or foaming in nature.

As used herein “cleaning” means applying to a surface for the purpose ofcleaning, and/or disinfecting.

The Liquid Composition

The liquid cleaning compositions herein typically include a liquidcomposition containing from 30% to 95%, preferably from 40% to 90%, morepreferably from 50% to 85% by weight of a liquid carrier in which theother essential and optional compositions components are dissolved,dispersed or suspended. One preferred component of the liquid carrier iswater.

The liquid cleaning composition herein may have any suitable pH.Preferably the pH of the composition is adjusted to between 3 and 14,more preferably between 4 and 13, more preferably between 6 and 12 mostpreferably between 8 and 10. The pH of the composition can be adjustedusing pH modifying ingredients known in the art.

The liquid cleaning compositions of the present invention can be in theform of liquid, semi-liquid, cream, lotion or gel compositions and, insome embodiments, are intended for use as liquid hand dishwashingdetergent compositions for direct or indirect application onto dishware.

These compositions include single phase Newtonian or non-Newtonianproducts with a high shear viscosity of between about 100 cps and 10000cps at 20° C. and, alternatively, between about 300 cps and about 8000cps, between about 500 cps and about 5000 cps, between about 700 cps andabout 3000 cps, between 900 and 2000 cps, between 1000 and 1500 cps.Alternatively the disinfecting product could imply multi-phase productscontaining at least one visually distinct phase and, alternatively, 2,3, 4, 5 or more phases, preferably having a high shear viscosity ofbetween about 100 cps and 10000 cps at 20° C. and, alternatively,between about 300 cps and about 8000 cps, between, 500 cps and 5000 cps,between about 700 cps and about 3000 cps, between about 900 cps andabout 2000 cps, between 1000 and 1500 cps, and a low shear viscosity ofbetween about 10,000 cps and about 250,000 cps at 20° C., and,alternatively, between about 40,000 cps and about 150,000 cps, betweenabout 50,000 cps and about 80,000 cps and about 60,000 cps and about70,000 cps.

In one preferred embodiment, the rheology may be achieved through theuse of internal structurants. In one embodiment, the internalstructurants are created through the use of an aqueous surfactantmesophase or a dispersion of a mesophase in a continuous aqueous medium.Suitable surfactant mesophases can include dispersed lamellar,spherulitic and expanded lamellar phases. In yet another embodiment, theinternally structured liquid can be obtained by mixing a surfactant withany non-surfactant active capable of interacting with the surfactant toform or enhance (e.g. increase the yield point of) a structured system.This non-surfactant active typically is a surfactant de-solubilizer,typically an electrolyte. In another preferred embodiment, the rheologymay be achieved through the use of external structurants, such ascrystalline structurants including but not limited to microfibrouscellulose, crystalline hydroxyl-containing fatty acids, fatty esters orfatty waxes such as hydrogenated castor oil derivatives, amido-gellantsand clays, non-crystalline structuring polymers including naturally orsynthetic derived polymeric structurants, and mixtures thereof. In stillanother preferred embodiment, the rheology may be achieved by employingcombinations of external and internal structurants. Multiphase productscould be desired when aiming at distributing incompatible or reactivematerials amongst the multiple liquid phases, such that the chemicaland/or physical stability of the materials is maintained, to preventproblems with physical separation of the materials, or a desired activeis generated upon use. Furthermore, the compositions of the presentinvention could encompass isotropic or non lamellar phase, lamellarphases or mixtures thereof.

The composition can also have a yield stress value of from about 0.003Pa to about 5.0 Pa at about 20° C. and, alternatively, from about 0.01Pa to about 3.0 Pa, from about 0.1 Pa to about 2.0 Pa and from about 0.5Pa to about 1.0 Pa, as such being enabled to suspend material.

Essential materials for the present invention include both linear alkylnucleophilic surfactants, preferably linear alkyl amine oxides and metalions, preferably divalent metal-ion and, in one embodiment, Zn²⁺-ions.Preferably, the linear alkyl nucleophilic surfactants, such as linearalkyl amine oxide, is present versus the divalent metal-ion, such asZn²⁺ ions, at a ratio of 10 to 300, preferably 15 to 200, morepreferably 20 to 150, and most preferably 25 to 100.

Linear Alkyl Nucleophilic Surfactants:

An essential material for the current liquid cleaning compositions isthe use of a linear alkyl nucleophilic surfactant. In one embodiment,the linear alkyl carbon chain comprises between 8 and 18 carbon atomsand can be substituted by a nucleophilic head group. This nucleophilichead group can comprise a free electron pair and a (partial) negativecharge allowing it to complex with the positively charged metal ion.Nucleophilic head groups can include negatively charged head groups suchas carboxylates, sulfates, sulfonates or phosphates. Also included canbe zwitterionic or amphoteric head groups including betain andsulfobetain hydrophilic groups, as well as semi-polar hydrophilic headgroups, such as amine oxides. In one preferred embodiment, the linearalkyl nucleophilic surfactant is a linear alkyl amine oxide, which isdescribed in more detail below. It will be understood, however, thatwhile linear alkyl amine oxide will be described in more detail below,the description could equally apply to any linear alkyl nucleophilicsurfactant.

Amine Oxides:

Amine oxides are widely used in cleaning formulations to provide highlevels of suds formation and grease cleaning efficacy. Most frequentlyused amine oxides are alkyl dimethyl amine oxide or alkyl amido propyldimethyl amine oxide and derivatives thereof. Amine oxide may havelinear, symmetrically or asymmetrically branched alkyl moieties.

Most preferred amine oxides for the present invention are linear alkylamine oxides. Typical linear alkyl amine oxides include water-solubleamine oxides of the formula R1-N(R2)(R3)O and contain one R1C₈₋₁₈ alkylmoiety and 2 R2 and R3 moieties typically selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₃ alkyl groups and C₁₋₃ hydroxyalkyl groups.Preferably, R₁ is a C₈₋₁₈ alkyl and R₂ and R₃ are typically selectedfrom the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl,2-hydroxethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl and 3-hydroxypropyl. The linear amineoxide surfactants in particular may include linear C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyldimethyl amine oxides and linear C₈-C₁₂ alkoxy ethyl dihydroxy ethylamine oxides. Preferred amine oxides include linear C₁₀, linear C₁₀-C₁₂,and linear C₁₂-C₁₄ alkyl dimethyl amine oxides.

Less preferred for this application are branched alkyl amine oxides.Despite these materials displaying some antibacterial efficacy, limitedand, in some embodiments, no antibacterial efficacy boost has been foundwhen formulating together with a metal ion including divalent ionincluding divalent Zn-ion. As used herein “symmetrically-branched” meansthat the amine oxide has one alkyl moiety having n₁ carbon atoms withone alkyl branch on the alkyl moiety having n₂ carbon atoms. The alkylbranch is located on the α or β carbon from the nitrogen on the alkylmoiety. This type of branching for the amine oxide is also known in theart as an internal amine oxide. The total sum of n₁ and n₂ is from 10 to24 carbon atoms, preferably from 12 to 20, and more preferably from 10to 16. The number of carbon atoms for the one alkyl moiety (n₁) shouldbe approximately the same number of carbon atoms as the one alkyl branch(n₂) such that the one alkyl moiety and the one alkyl branch aresymmetric. As used herein “symmetric” means that |n₁-n₂| is less than orequal to 5, preferably 4, most preferably from 0 to 4 carbon atoms in atleast 50 wt %, more preferably at least 75 wt % to 100 wt % of thesymmetrically-branched amine oxides for use herein. When |n₁-n₂| isgreater than 5 the amine oxide is asymmetrically branched. The amineoxide further comprises two moieties, independently selected from a C₁₋₃alkyl, a C₁₋₃ hydroxyalkyl group, or a polyethylene oxide groupcontaining an average of from about 1 to about 3 ethylene oxide groups.Preferably the two moieties are selected from a C₁₋₃ alkyl, morepreferably both are selected as a C₁ alkyl.

When formulating linear alkyl amine oxides together with a metal ion,preferably a divalent metal ion, most preferably divalent Zn-ion, animproved antibacterial efficacy has been found versus when formulatingthe linear alkyl amine oxide alone. This improved antibacterial effecthas not been observed when introducing sterical or packing hindranceinside the alkyl chain through alkyl or alkyl derivative branches orthrough introduction of spacing groups inside of the alkyl chain, suchas amidoalkyl including amidopropyl units. Without wishing to be boundby theory, it is believed that the absence of sterical hindrance in thelinear alkyl chain provides for efficient packing of amine oxidemolecules around both the metal ion and at the bacterial membraneinterface. Specifically, without wishing to be bound by theory, it isbelieved that the Zn²⁺ molecules interact with both the amine oxide andbacterial wall, thereby acting as a deposition aid by binding the amineoxide to the bacterial wall and, as such, maximizing the antibacterialefficacy of the amine oxide.

Metal Ions:

Another essential material for use in the present liquid cleaningcompositions are metal ions. The liquid cleaning compositions of thepresent invention can comprise metal ions at a level of 0.001% to 10%,preferably 0.01% to 1%, and more preferably 0.05% to 0.5%, by weight ofthe liquid cleaning composition. In a preferred embodiment, thecomposition may comprise metal ions at a level of 0.1% to 0.2%.

In one preferred embodiment, the metal ions can be multi-valent metalions, preferably divalent metal ions. Non-limiting examples includeheavy metal derivatives (organic and inorganic salts) of Pb2+, Zn2+,Cu2+, Mercury and Tin compounds. In one embodiment, typical ions knownin the art as water hardeners, such as Mg and Ca, are not includedwithin the present invention. Examples of suitable Zn2+ salts includebut are not limited to Zn carbonate, Zn citrate, Zn acetate, Zngluconate, Zn glycinate, Zn oxide, Zn hydroxide, Zn sulfate, zincbacitracin, zinc benzoate, zinc borate, zinc bromate, zinc bromide, zincchlorate, zinc chloride, Zn iodide, Zn fluoride, zinc ethysulfate, zincfluorosilicate, zinc formate, zinc hydrosulfite, zinc hydroxide, zinclactate, zinc laurate, zinc linoleate, zinc malate, zinc nitrate, zincperborate, zinc phosphate, zinc salicylate, zinc silicate, zincstearate, zinc sulfamate, zinc sulfide, zinc sulfite and zinc tartrate,and mixtures thereof. In one preferred embodiment, the divalent metalions are divalent Zn compounds especially Zn carbonate, Zn sulfate andZn citrate compounds, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, it has beenfound that these metal ions do not directly contribute to theantibacterial activity of the composition, but, rather, act as adeposition aid to maximize the antibacterial activity of the linearalkyl nucleophilic surfactant, which can nucleophilically bind to themetal ion.

A more detailed description of other typical and optional materialsformulated in detergent compositions including hand dishwashingdetergent compositions is given below.

Surfactants:

The liquid cleaning compositions of the present invention may comprisean aqueous cleaning phase that may contain a surfactant suitable forapplication to dishware or other hard surfaces, skin or fabrics.Suitable surfactants for use herein include any known or otherwiseeffective cleansing surfactant suitable for application to hard surfacesor a user's skin, and which is otherwise compatible with the otheressential ingredients in the aqueous cleansing phase of thecompositions. These cleansing surfactants may include anionic, nonionic,cationic, zwitterionic or amphoteric surfactants, or combinationsthereof.

The aqueous cleansing phase of the liquid cleaning composition comprisessurfactant at concentrations ranging from about 1 to about 50%, morepreferably from about 5 to about 45%, even more preferably from about 8to 40%, even more preferably from about 12 to 35% by weight of theliquid detergent composition. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the surfactant concentrations ranges from about 1 to about40%, preferably from about 6 to about 32%, more preferably from about 8to about 25% weight of the total composition of an anionic surfactantcombined with about 0.01 to about 20%, preferably from about 0.2 toabout 15%, more preferably from about 0.5 to about 10% by weight of theliquid detergent composition of amphoteric and/or zwitterionic and/ornonionic and/or cationic surfactant, more preferably an amphoteric orzwitterionic and even more preferred an amine oxide surfactant orbetaine surfactant, even more preferred an amine oxide surfactant, mostpreferred a linear alkyl amine oxide when formulated together with adivalent metal ion such as divalent Zn-ion.

Non-limiting examples of optional surfactants are discussed below.

Anionic Surfactant

In one embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning phase of thepresent invention will comprise an anionic surfactant typically at alevel of 1% to 40%, preferably 6% to 32%, more preferably 8% to 25%weight of the liquid detergent composition. In a preferred embodimentthe composition has no more than 15%, preferably no more than 10%, morepreferably no more than 5% by weight of the total composition, of asulfonate surfactant.

Suitable anionic surfactants to be used in the compositions and methodsof the present invention are sulfate, sulfonate, sulfosuccinates and/orsulfoacetate; preferably alkyl sulfate and/or alkyl ethoxy sulfates;more preferably a combination of alkyl sulfates and/or alkyl ethoxysulfates with a combined ethoxylation degree less than 5, preferablyless than 3, more preferably less than 2.

Sulphate Surfactants

Suitable sulphate surfactants may include water-soluble salts or acidsof C₁₀-C₁₄ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, sulphate and/or ether sulfate.Suitable counterions include hydrogen, alkali metal cation or ammoniumor substituted ammonium, but preferably sodium.

The hydrocarbyl chain might be linear or branched. Where the hydrocarbylchain is branched, it preferably comprises C₁₋₄ alkyl branching units.Mixtures of anionic surfactants with different branching levels on thehydrocarbyl group might be applied. The average percentage branching ofsuch a mixture of the sulphate surfactants is preferably greater than20%, more preferably greater than 30%, more preferably from 35% to 80%and most preferably from 40% to 60% of the total hydrocarbyl chains.

The sulphate surfactants may be selected from C₈-C₂₀ primary,branched-chain and random alkyl sulphates (AS); C₁₀-C₁₈ secondary (2,3)alkyl sulphates; C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl alkoxy sulphates (AE_(x)S) whereinpreferably x is from 1-30; C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl alkoxy carboxylates preferablycomprising 1-5 ethoxy units; mid-chain branched alkyl sulphates asdiscussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,303 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,060,443;mid-chain branched alkyl alkoxy sulphates as discussed in U.S. Pat. No.6,008,181 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,303.

Alkyl Sulfosuccinates—Sulfoacetate:

Other suitable anionic surfactants are alkyl, preferably dialkyl,sulfosuccinates and/or sulfoacetate. The dialkyl sulfosuccinates may bea C₆₋₁₅ linear or branched dialkyl sulfosuccinate. The alkyl moietiesmay be asymmetrical (i.e., different alkyl moiety.es) or preferablysymmetrical (i.e., the same alkyl moieties).

Sulphonate Surfactants:

The compositions of the present invention may preferably comprise nomore than 15% by weight, preferably no more than 10%, even morepreferably no more than 5% by weight of the liquid detergentcomposition, of a sulphonate surfactant. Those include water-solublesalts or acids of C₁₀-C₁₄ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, sulphonates; C₁₁-C₁₈alkyl benzene sulphonates (LAS), modified alkylbenzene sulphonate (MLAS)as discussed in WO 99/05243, WO 99/05242, WO 99/05244, WO 99/05082, WO99/05084, WO 99/05241, WO 99/07656, WO 00/23549, and WO 00/23548; methylester sulphonate (MES); and alpha-olefin sulphonate (AOS). Those alsoinclude the paraffin sulphonates may be monosulphonates and/ordisulphonates, obtained by sulphonating paraffins of 10 to 20 carbonatoms. The sulfonate surfactant also include the alkyl glycerylsulphonate surfactants. Sulphonated hydrotropes such as cumenesulphonate, toluene sulphonate and xylene sulphonate are not consideredas sulphonated surfactants in this application.

Further Surfactants

The compositions can further comprise a surfactant selected fromnonionic, cationic, amphoteric, zwitterionic, semi-polar nonionicsurfactants, and mixtures thereof. In a further preferred embodiment,the composition of the present invention can further comprise amphotericand/or zwitterionic surfactant, more preferably an amine oxide orbetaine surfactant, even more preferably an amine oxide, most preferablya linear alkyl amine oxide when formulated together with metal ionsincluding divalent Zn-ions.

The most preferred surfactant system for the compositions of the presentinvention can therefore comprise: (i) 1% to 40%, preferably 6% to 32%,more preferably 8% to 25% weight of the total composition of an anionicsurfactant (2) combined with 0.01% to 20% wt, preferably from 0.2% to15% wt, more preferably from 0.5% to 10% by weight of the liquiddetergent composition of an amphoteric and/or zwitterionic and/ornonionic surfactant, more preferably an amphoteric and even morepreferred an amine oxide surfactant. It has been found that suchsurfactant system will provide the excellent cleaning required from ahand dishwashing liquid composition while being very soft and gentle tothe hands. Beyond the amine oxide will also strongly contribute to theantibacterial efficacy of the disinfecting product.

The total level of surfactants is usually from about 1 to about 50%,more preferably from about 5 to about 45%, even more preferably fromabout 8 to 40%, even more preferably from about 12 to 35% by weight ofthe liquid detergent composition.

Amphoteric and Zwitterionic Surfactants

The amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactant can be comprised at a levelof from 0.01% to 20%, preferably from 0.2% to 15%, more preferably 0.5%to 10% by weight of the liquid detergent composition. Suitableamphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants are amine oxides and betaines.

Beyond the amine oxide surfactants already described before, othersuitable amphoteric surfactants include betaines such alkyl betaines,alkylamidobetaine, amidazoliniumbetaine, sulfobetaine (INCI Sultaines)as well as the Phosphobetaine and preferably meets formula I:

R¹—[CO—X(CH₂)_(n)]_(x)—N⁺(R²)(R₃)—(CH₂)_(m)—[CH(OH)—CH₂]_(y)—Y—  (I)

wherein

-   -   R¹ is a saturated or unsaturated C6-22 alkyl residue, preferably        C8-18 alkyl residue, in particular a saturated C10-16 alkyl        residue, for example a saturated C12-14 alkyl residue;    -   X is NH, NR⁴ with C1-4 Alkyl residue R⁴, O or S,    -   n a number from 1 to 10, preferably 2 to 5, in particular 3,    -   x 0 or 1, preferably 1,    -   R², R³ are independently a C1-4 alkyl residue, potentially        hydroxy substituted such as a hydroxyethyl, preferably a methyl.    -   m a number from 1 to 4, in particular 1, 2 or 3,    -   y 0 or 1 and    -   Y is COO, SO3, OPO(OR⁵)O or P(O)(OR⁵)O, whereby R⁵ is a hydrogen        atom H or a Cl-4 alkyl residue.

Preferred betaines are the alkyl betaines of the formula (Ia), the alkylamido betaine of the formula (Ib), the Sulfo betaines of the formula(Ic) and the Amido sulfobetaine of the formula (Id);

R¹—N⁺(CH₃)₂—CH₂COO⁻  (Ia)

R¹—CO—NH(CH₂)₃—N⁺(CH₃)₂—CH₂COO⁻  (Ib)

R¹—N⁺(CH₃)₂—CH₂CH(OH)CH₂SO₃—  (Ic)

R¹—CO—NH—(CH₂)₃—N⁺(CH₃)₂—CH₂CH(OH)CH₂SO₃—  (Id)

in which R¹1 as the same meaning as in formula I. Particularly preferredbetaines are the Carbobetaine [wherein Y⁻═COO⁻], in particular theCarbobetaine of the formula (Ia) and (Ib), more preferred are theAlkylamidobetaine of the formula (Ib).

Examples of suitable betaines and sulfobetaine are the following[designated in accordance with INCI]: Almondamidopropyl of betaines,Apricotam idopropyl betaines, Avocadamidopropyl of betaines,Babassuamidopropyl of betaines, Behenam idopropyl betaines, Behenyl ofbetaines, betaines, Canolam idopropyl betaines, Capryl/Capram idopropylbetaines, Carnitine, Cetyl of betaines, Cocamidoethyl of betaines, Cocamidopropyl betaines, Cocam idopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Coco betaines, CocoHydroxysultaine, Coco/Oleam idopropyl betaines, Coco Sultaine, Decyl ofbetaines, Dihydroxyethyl Oleyl Glycinate, Dihydroxyethyl Soy Glycinate,Dihydroxyethyl Stearyl Glycinate, Dihydroxyethyl Tallow Glycinate,Dimethicone Propyl of PG-betaines, Erucam idopropyl Hydroxysultaine,Hydrogenated Tallow of betaines, Isostearam idopropyl betaines, Lauramidopropyl betaines, Lauryl of betaines, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, LaurylSultaine, Milkam idopropyl betaines, Minkamidopropyl of betaines,Myristam idopropyl betaines, Myristyl of betaines, Oleam idopropylbetaines, Oleam idopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Oleyl of betaines,Olivamidopropyl of betaines, Palmam idopropyl betaines, Palm itamidopropyl betaines, Palmitoyl Carnitine, Palm Kernelam idopropylbetaines, Polytetrafluoroethylene Acetoxypropyl of betaines, Ricinoleamidopropyl betaines, Sesam idopropyl betaines, Soyam idopropyl betaines,Stearam idopropyl betaines, Stearyl of betaines, Tallowam idopropylbetaines, Tallowam idopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Tallow of betaines, TallowDihydroxyethyl of betaines, Undecylenam idopropyl betaines and WheatGermam idopropyl betaines.

A preferred betaine is Cocoamidopropylbetain.

Nonionic Surfactants

Nonionic surfactant, when present, can comprise from 0.1% to 40%,preferably 0.2% to 20%, most preferably 0.5% to 10% by weight of thedisinfecting liquid detergent composition. Suitable nonionic surfactantsinclude the condensation products of aliphatic alcohols with from 1 to25 moles of ethylene oxide. The alkyl chain of the aliphatic alcohol caneither be straight or branched, primary or secondary, and generallycontains from 8 to 22 carbon atoms. Particularly preferred are thecondensation products of alcohols having an alkyl group containing from10 to 18 carbon atoms, preferably from 10 to 15 carbon atoms with from 2to 18 moles, preferably 2 to 15, more preferably 5-12 of ethylene oxideper mole of alcohol.

Also suitable are alkylpolyglycosides having the formulaR²O(C_(n)H_(2n)O)_(t)(glycosyl)_(x) (formula (III)), wherein R² offormula (III) is selected from the group consisting of alkyl,alkyl-phenyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkylphenyl, and mixtures thereof inwhich the alkyl groups contain from 10 to 18, preferably from 12 to 14,carbon atoms; n of formula (III) is 2 or 3, preferably 2; t of formula(III) is from 0 to 10, preferably 0; and x of formula (III) is from 1.3to 10, preferably from 1.3 to 3, most preferably from 1.3 to 2.7. Theglycosyl is preferably derived from glucose. Also suitable arealkylglycerol ethers and sorbitan esters.

Also suitable are fatty acid amide surfactants having the formula (IV):

wherein R⁶ of formula (IV) is an alkyl group containing from 7 to 21,preferably from 9 to 17, carbon atoms and each R⁷ of formula (IV) isselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄hydroxyalkyl, and —(C₂H₄O)_(x)H where x of formula (IV) varies from 1 to3. Preferred amides are C₈-C₂₀ ammonia amides, monoethanolamides,diethanolamides, and isopropanolamides.

Cationic Surfactants

Cationic surfactants, when present in the composition for enhanceddetergency effect, can be present in an effective amount, morepreferably from 0.25% to 20%, by weight of the disinfecting liquiddetergent composition. Suitable cationic surfactants are quaternaryammonium surfactants. Suitable quaternary ammonium surfactants areselected from the group consisting of mono C₆-C₁₆, preferably C₆-C₁₀N-alkyl or alkenyl ammonium surfactants, wherein the remaining Npositions are substituted by methyl, hydroxyethyl or hydroxypropylgroups. Other preferred cationic surfactants include alkyl benzalkoniumhalides and derivatives thereof, such as those available from Lonzaunder the BARQUAT and BARDAC tradenames. Another preferred cationicsurfactant is an C₆-C₁₈ alkyl or alkenyl ester of a quaternary ammoniumalcohol, such as quaternary chlorine esters. More preferably, thecationic surfactants have the formula (V):

wherein R1 of formula (V) is C₈-C₁₈ hydrocarbyl and mixtures thereof,preferably, C₈₋₁₄ alkyl, more preferably, C₈, C₁₀ or C₁₂ alkyl, and X offormula (V) is an anion, preferably, chloride or bromide.

Sequestering Agent:

The liquid cleaning composition can preferably comprise sequesteringagents, selected from the group but not limited to carboxylic acid basedbuilders, chelants, or mixtures thereof. The sequestering agent or saltthereof, when present, can preferably present at the level of from 0.01%to 10%, more preferably from 0.1% to 5%, more preferably from 0.15% to2.5%, more preferably from 0.2% to 1%, and most preferably from 0.25% to0.5% by weight of the total composition.

Carboxylic Acid Based Builders:

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the liquid cleaningcompositions herein may optionally further comprise a linear or cycliccarboxylic acid, a polycarboxylic acid, or salt thereof. Beyond, thepresence of anionic surfactants, especially when present in higheramounts in the region of 15-35% by weight of the total composition,results in the composition imparting a slippery feel to the hands of theuser and the dishware. Carboxylic acids are also known to compensate forthis.

Suitable (poly)carboxylic acids are acyclic, alicyclic, heterocyclic andaromatic carboxylic acids, in which case they contain at least twocarboxyl groups which are in each case separated from one another by,preferably, no more than two carbon atoms. Polycarboxylates whichcomprise two carboxyl groups include, for example, water-soluble saltsof malonic acid, (ethyl enedioxy) diacetic acid, maleic acid, diglycolicacid, tartaric acid, tartronic acid and fumaric acid. Carboxylic acidsuseful herein include C₁₋₆ linear or at least 3 carbon containing cyclicacids. The linear or cyclic carbon-containing chain of the carboxylicacid or salt thereof may be substituted with a substituent groupselected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, ester, ether, aliphaticgroups having from 1 to 6, more preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms, andmixtures thereof.

Preferred carboxylic acids are those selected from the group consistingof salicylic acid, maleic acid, acetyl salicylic acid, 3 methylsalicylic acid, 4 hydroxy isophthalic acid, dihydroxyfumaric acid, 1,2,4 benzene tricarboxylic acid, pentanoic acid and salts thereof, citricacid and salts thereof, and mixtures thereof. Where the carboxylic acidexists in the salt form, the cation of the salt is preferably selectedfrom alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, monoethanolamine,diethanolamine or triethanolamine and mixtures thereof.

Other carboxylic acid based builders include homopolymers and copolymersof polycarboxylic acids and their partially or completely neutralizedsalts, monomeric polycarboxylic acids and hydroxycarboxylic acids andtheir salts. Another suitable polycarboxylic acid is the homopolymer ofacrylic acid. Preferred salts of the above-mentioned compounds are theammonium and/or alkali metal salts, i.e. the lithium, sodium, andpotassium salts, and particularly preferred salts are the sodium salts.Preferred are also the polycarboxylates end capped with sulfonates.

Other carboxylate based chelants of potential interest include lacticacid, acetic acid, formic acid, succinic acid benzoic acid, salicylicacid and dehydroacetic acid all preferably in the form of awater-soluble salt.

Chelant:

In one embodiment of the present invention, the liquid cleaningcompositions of the present invention may comprise a chelant.

As commonly understood in the detergent field, chelation herein meansthe binding or complexation of a bi- or multidentate ligand. Theseligands, which are often organic compounds, are called chelants,chelators, chelating agents. Chelating agents form multiple bonds with asingle metal ion. Chelants, are chemicals that form soluble, complexmolecules with certain metal ions, inactivating the ions so that theycannot normally react with other elements or ions. The ligand forms achelate complex with the substrate. The term is reserved for complexesin which the metal ion is bound to two or more atoms of the chelant.Chelants might also demonstrate crystal growth inhibition properties,i.e. those that interact with the small calcium and magnesium carbonateparticles preventing them from aggregating into hard scale deposit. Theparticles repel each other and remain suspended in the water or formloose aggregates which may settle. These loose aggregates are easilyrinsed away and do not form a deposit.

Suitable chelating agents can be selected from the group consisting ofamino carboxylates, amino phosphonates, polyfunctionally-substitutedaromatic chelating agents and mixtures thereof.

Preferred chelants for use herein are the amino acids based chelants andpreferably glutamic-N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA) or methyl-glycine-diaceticacid (MGDA) and derivatives and/or Phosphonate based chelants andpreferably Diethylenetriamine penta methylphosphonic acid (DTPMP) orhydroxyethyldiphosphonic acid (HEDP).

Amino carboxylates include ethylenediaminetetra-acetates,N-hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetates, nitrilo-triacetates,ethylenediamine tetrapro-prionates, triethylenetetraaminehexacetates,diethylenetriaminepentaacetates, and ethanoldi-glycines, alkali metal,ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts therein and mixtures therein.As well as MGDA (methyl-glycine-diacetic acid), and salts andderivatives thereof and GLDA (glutamic-N,N-diacetic acid) and salts andderivatives thereof. GLDA (salts and derivatives thereof) is especiallypreferred according to the invention, with the tetrasodium salt thereofbeing especially preferred.

Other suitable chelants include amino acid based compound or a succinatebased compound. The term “succinate based compound” and “succinic acidbased compound” are used interchangeably herein. These includeoxodisuccinates, carboxymethyloxysuccinate and mixtures of tartratemonosuccinic and tartrate disuccinic acid such as described in U.S. Pat.No. 4,663,071.

Other suitable chelants are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,426,229.Particular suitable chelants include; for example, asparticacid-N-monoacetic acid (ASMA), aspartic acid-N,N-diacetic acid (ASDA),aspartic acid-N-monopropionic acid (ASMP), iminodisuccinic acid (IDS),Imino diacetic acid (IDA), N-(2-sulfomethyl)aspartic acid (SMAS),N-(2-sulfoethyl)aspartic acid (SEAS), N-(2-sulfomethyl)glutamic acid(SMGL), N-(2-sulfoethyl)glutamic acid (SEGL), N-methyliminodiacetic acid(MIDA), alanine-N,N-diacetic acid (ALDA), serine-N,N-diacetic acid(SEDA), isoserine-N,N-diacetic acid (ISDA), phenylalanine-N,N-diaceticacid (PHDA), anthranilic acid-N,N-diacetic acid (ANDA), sulfanilicacid-N,N-diacetic acid (SLDA), taurine-N,N-diacetic acid (TUDA) andsulfomethyl-N,N-diacetic acid (SMDA) and alkali metal salts or ammoniumsalts thereof. Also suitable is ethylenediamine disuccinate (“EDDS”),especially the [S,S] isomer as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,233.Furthermore, Hydroxyethyleneiminodiacetic acid, Hydroxyiminodisuccinicacid, Hydroxyethylene diaminetriacetic acid are also suitable.

Amino phosphonates are also suitable for use as chelating agents andinclude ethylenediaminetetrakis (methylenephosphonates) as DEQUEST.Preferred, these amino phosphonates that do not contain alkyl or alkenylgroups with more than about 6 carbon atoms.

Polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents are also usefulin the compositions herein such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,812,044.Preferred compounds of this type in acid form aredihydroxydisulfobenzenes such as 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-disulfobenzene.

Organic Solvents:

The liquid cleaning compositions of the present invention may compriseone or more organic solvents as a highly preferred optional ingredient.

Suitable solvents are selected from the group consisting of C4-14preferably C6-C12 even more preferably C8-C10 ethers and diethers,glycols, alkoxylated glycols, C₆-C₁₆ glycol ethers, alkoxylated aromaticalcohols, aromatic alcohols, aliphatic branched alcohols, alkoxylatedaliphatic branched alcohols, alkoxylated linear C₁-C₅ alcohols, linearC₁-C₅ alcohols, amines, C₈-C₁₄ alkyl and cycloalkyl hydrocarbons andhalohydrocarbons, alkanolamines, terpenes and mixtures thereof.

Suitable glycols to be used herein are according to the formulaHO—CR1R2-OH wherein R1 and R2 are independently H or a C2-C10 saturatedor unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon chain and/or cyclic. Suitableglycols to be used herein are dodecaneglycol and/or propanediol, andderivatives thereof such as bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol).

Suitable alkoxylated glycols to be used herein are according to theformula R-(A)n-R1-OH wherein R is H, OH, a linear or branched, saturatedor unsaturated alkyl of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to15 and more preferably from 2 to 10, wherein R1 is H or a linearsaturated or unsaturated alkyl of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferablyfrom 2 to 15 and more preferably from 2 to 10, and A is an alkoxy grouppreferably ethoxy, methoxy, and/or propoxy and n is from 1 to 5,preferably 1 to 2. Suitable alkoxylated glycols to be used herein aremethoxy octadecanol and/or ethoxyethoxyethanol.

Suitable alkoxylated aromatic alcohols to be used herein are accordingto the formula R-(A)n-OH wherein R is an alkyl substituted or non-alkylsubstituted aryl group of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 2to 15 and more preferably from 2 to 10, wherein A is an alkoxy grouppreferably butoxy, propoxy and/or ethoxy, and n is an integer of from 1to 5, preferably 1 to 2. Suitable alkoxylated aromatic alcohols arebenzoxyethanol and/or benzoxypropanol.

Suitable aromatic alcohols to be used herein are according to theformula R—OH wherein R is an alkyl substituted or non-alkyl substitutedaryl group of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 15 andmore preferably from 1 to 10. For example a suitable aromatic alcohol tobe used herein is benzyl alcohol.

Suitable alkoxylated aliphatic alcohols to be used herein are accordingto the formula R-(A)n-OH wherein R is a linear or branched, saturated orunsaturated alkyl group of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 2to 15 and more preferably from 3 to 12, wherein A is an alkoxy grouppreferably butoxy, propoxy and/or ethoxy, and n is an integer of from 1to 5, preferably 1 to 2. Suitable alkoxylated aliphatic linear orbranched alcohols are butoxy propoxy propanol (n-BPP), butoxyethanol,butoxypropanol (n-BP), ethoxyethanol, 1-methylpropoxyethanol,2-methylbutoxyethanol, Hexyl glycol ether (Hexyl Cellosolve) and Hexyldiglycolether (HexylCarbitiol) or mixtures thereof. Butoxy propoxypropanol is commercially available under the trade name n-BPP® from Dowchemical. Butoxypropanol is commercially available from Dow chemical.

Suitable aliphatic alcohols to be used herein are according to theformula R—OH wherein R is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturatedalkyl group of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 15 andmore preferably from 5 to 12. With the proviso that said aliphaticbranched alcohols is not a 2-alkyl alkanol as described herein above.Suitable aliphatic alcohols are methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanolor mixtures thereof.

Suitable alkanolamines to be used herein include but are not limited tomonoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine.

Suitable terpenes to be used herein monocyclic terpenes, dicyclicterpenes and/or acyclic terpenes. Suitable terpenes are: D-limonene;pinene; pine oil; terpinene; terpene derivatives as menthol, terpineol,geraniol, thymol; and the citronella or citronellol types ofingredients.

Other suitable solvents include butyl diglycol ether (BDGE), hexandiols,butyltriglycol ether, teramilic alcohol and the like. BDGE iscommercially available from Union Carbide or from BASF under the tradename Butyl CARBITOL®. Alternatively also diamines can be used. Specificexamples of diamines are described further in the document in the otheroptional ingredients section.

Preferably said solvent is selected from the group consisting of butoxypropoxy propanol, butyl diglycol ether, benzyl alcohol, butoxypropanol,ethanol, methanol, isopropanol, hexandiols and mixtures thereof. Morepreferably said solvent is selected from the group consisting of butoxypropoxy propanol, benzyl alcohol, butoxypropanol, ethanol, methanol,isopropanol and mixtures thereof. Even more preferably said solvent isselected from the group consisting of benzyl alcohol, ethanol andmixtures thereof.

When present, the liquid cleaning composition may comprise from about0.01% to about 25%, alternatively from about 0.5% to about 20%,alternatively from about 1% to about 15%, alternatively from 2% to 10%,alternatively 3 to 6% by weight of the liquid cleaning composition ofsaid organic solvent. These organic solvents may be used in conjunctionwith water, or they may be used without water.

Alternatively hydrotropes might also be applied alone or in combinationwith any of the organic solvents mentioned above, to exhibit theirsolvent action, in an effective amount, i.e. from about 0.01% to about25%, alternatively from about 0.5% to about 20%, alternatively fromabout 1% to about 15%, alternatively from 2% to 10%, alternatively 3 to6% by weight of the liquid cleaning composition. Suitable hydrotropesfor use herein include anionic-type hydrotropes, particularly sodium,potassium, and ammonium xylene sulfonate, sodium, potassium and ammoniumtoluene sulfonate, sodium potassium and ammonium cumene sulfonate, andmixtures thereof, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,903.

Antibacterial Actives:

In another embodiment of this present invention the liquid cleaningcomposition might also comprise one or more antibacterial agents tofurther boost the antibacterial efficacy. An antibacterial agent is achemical substance or microorganism which can deter, render harmless, orexert a controlling effect on any harmful organism by chemical orbiological means. The choice of antibacterial agent to be used dependson the particular situation. Some antibacterial agents have a widespectrum (kill many different types of microorganisms), while otherskill a smaller range of disease-causing organisms but are preferred forother properties (they may be non-corrosive, non-toxic, or inexpensive).Within Western Europe the antibacterial actives that can be used indetergent applications are classified within the “Biocidal ProductsDirective 98/8/EC (BPD”), more particularly within “MAIN GROUP 1:Disinfectants and general biocidal products—Product-type 2: Private areaand public health area disinfectants and other biocidal products.”Within North America antibacterial products and actives that can be usedare regulated by the FDA and EPA. Potentially the antibacterial activescan be combined with antibacterial efficacy boosting technologiesespecially chelants, can be combined with an AB carrying agent toimprove deposition efficacy, or could be bound to a depositiontechnology like a surface substantive deposition polymer to deliver along lasting disinfection efficacy.

Typical chemistry classes with illustrating examples being useddemonstrating intrinsic antibacterial activity include but are notlimited to aldehydes (formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde,ortho-phtalaldehyde), sulphur dioxide, sulphites, bisulphites, vanillicacid esters), chlorine and oxygen based oxidizing agents (sodium andcalcium hypochlorite or hypobromite, chloramine and chloramine-T,chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, ozone, peracetic acid,performic acid, potassium permanganate, potassium peroxymonosulfate),phenolics (phenol, o-phenylphenol, chloroxylenol, hexachlorophene,thymol, amylmetacresol, 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol, policresylen,fentichlor, 4-allylcatechol, p-hydroxybenzoic acid esters includingbenzylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, methtlparaben andpropylparaben, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene,capaicin, carvacrol, creosol, eugenol, guaiacol), halogenated(hydroxy)diphenylethers (diclosan, triclosan, hexachlorophene andbromochlorophene, 4-hexylresorcinol, 8-hydroxyquinoline and saltsthereof), quaternary ammonium compounds (benzalkonium chloridederivatives, benzethonium chloride derivatives, cetrimoniumchloride/bromide, cetylpyridinium, cetrimide, benzoxonium chloride,didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride), acridine derivatives (ethacridinelactate, 9-aminoacridine, euflavine), biguanides including polymericbiguanides, and amidines (polyaminopropyl biguanide, dibrompropamidine,chlorhexidine, alexidine, propamidine, hexamidine, polihexanide),nitrofuran derivatives (nitrofurazone), quinoline derivatives(dequalinium, chlorquinaldol, oxyquinoline, clioquinol), iodineproducts, essential oils (bay, cinnamon, clove, thyme, eucalyptus,peppermint, lemon, tea tree, magnolia extract, menthol, geraniol),cations, Anilides (saclicylanilide, Diphenylureas), salicylic acidesters including menthyl salicylate, methyl salicylate and phenylsalicylate, pyrocatechol, phtalic acid and salts thereof, hexetidine,octenidine, sanguinarine, domiphen bromide, alkylpyridinium chloridessuch as cetylpyridinium chloride, tetradecylpyridinium chloride andN-tetradecyl-4-ethylpyridinium chloride, iodine, sulfonamides,piperidino derivatives such as delmopinol and octapinol, and mixturesthereof, miscellaneous preservatives (derivatives of 1,3-dioxane,derivatives of imidazole, Isothizolones, derivatives of hexamine,triazines, oxazolo-oxazoles, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, methylenebisthiocyanate, captan).

The liquid cleaning composition may also contain a bleach or bleachsystem as disinfecting system, preferably a peroxide bleach, possibly incombinations with chelant, radical scavenger and specific surfactantsystem such as dodecyl dimethylamine oxide and derivatives to enablehigher finished product pH, typically up to pH 9. More details aredescribed in US Patent Pub. 2011/0152158. The peroxygen bleach componentin the composition can also be formulated with an activator (peracidprecursor). Possible activators include but are not limited totetraacetyl ethylene diamine (TAED), benzoylcaprolactam and valerolactamderivatives, alkanoyloxybenzenesulphonate such asnonanoyloxybenzenesulphonate (NOBS), perhydrolyzable esters, andmixtures thereof. Further non-limiting list of examples, includingquaternary substituted bleach activators, are described in U.S. Pat. No.6,855,680. Alternatively organic peroxides such as diacylperoxides suchas dibenzoyl peroxide can also be considered. Alternatively thecomposition might also comprise a bleach catalyst such asMetal-containing Bleach Catalysts preferably manganese and cobaltcontaining bleach catalysts, Transition Metal Complexes ofMacropolycyclic Rigid Ligands, or Other Bleach Catalysts such as organicbleach catalysts such as zwitterionic bleach catalysts includingaryliminium zwitterions, and cationic bleach catalysts. Alternativelythe composition may also comprise a preformed peracid such asphtalimidio peroxycaproic acid (PAP) or percarboxylic or percarbonic orperimidic or peroxymonosulfuric acid, or a bleaching enzyme.

A more detailed bleach description is given in U.S. Application No.61/512,150.

Preferred antibacterial systems are halogenated benzyl alcoholderivatives such as chloroxylenol (PCMX), halogenatedhydroxydiphenylethers preferably diclosan, quaternary ammonium saltspreferably alkylbenzalkonium and alkylbenzethonium chloride andderivatives thereof, essential oils, bleach system preferably a peroxidebleach, and mixtures thereof. Most preferred antibacterial systems arebenzalkonium chloride, diclosan and PCMX.

Other Components:

The liquid cleaning composition herein can further comprise a number ofother components such as, but not limited to, internal or externalstructuring systems, skin care actives including cationic conditioningpolymers, humectants, emollients, enzymes and skin rejuvenation actives,polymers including cleaning or soil anti-redeposition polymers, surfacemodifying polymers and soil flocculating polymers, suspended particlesincluding beads, cleaning and/or exfoliating particles, air bubbles,perfume microcapsules and pearlescent agents, perfume and malodorcontrol compounds, colorants, organic and inorganic opacifiers, organicand inorganic cations such as alkaline earth metals such as Ca/Mg-ionsand diamines, suds stabilizers/boosters, anti-caking agents, viscositytrimming agents (e.g. salt such as NaCl and other mono-, di- andtrivalent salts), preservatives and pH trimming and/or buffering means(e.g. carboxylic acids such as citric acid, HCl, NaOH, KOH, amines andalkanolamines, phosphoric and sulfonic acids, carbonates such as sodiumcarbonates, bicarbonates, sesquicarbonates, borates, silicates,phosphates, imidazole and alike).

A more detailed description of these optional ingredients is given inU.S. Application No. 61/512,150.

Packaging:

The liquid cleaning compositions of the present invention may be packedin any suitable packaging for delivering the liquid disinfectingdetergent composition for use. Preferably, the package is a transparentor translucent package made of glass or plastic so that consumers cansee the product throughout the packaging.

The Process of Cleaning/Treating a Hard Surface

Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a process ofcleaning a hard surface, such as dishware, with a composition of thepresent invention. Said processes comprises the step of applying thecomposition onto the hard surface, such as dishware, typically indiluted or neat form and rinsing or leaving the composition to dry onthe surface without rinsing the surface.

By “in its neat form”, it is meant herein that said liquid compositionis applied directly onto the surface to be treated and/or onto acleaning device or implement such as a dish cloth, a sponge or a dishbrush without undergoing any dilution at 0 gpg water hardness by theuser (immediately) prior to the application. By “diluted form”, it ismeant herein that said liquid composition is diluted by the user with anappropriate solvent, typically water. By “rinsing”, it is meant hereincontacting the dishware cleaned with the process according to thepresent invention with substantial quantities of appropriate solvent,typically water, after the step of applying the liquid compositionherein onto said dishware. By “substantial quantities”, it is meantusually about 5 to about 20 liters.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the composition herein canbe applied in its diluted form. Soiled dishes are contacted with aneffective amount, typically from about 0.5 ml to about 20 ml (per about25 dishes being treated), preferably from about 3 ml to about 10 ml, ofthe liquid detergent composition of the present invention diluted inwater. The actual amount of liquid detergent composition used will bebased on the judgment of user, and will typically depend upon factorssuch as the particular product formulation of the composition, includingthe concentration of active ingredients in the composition, the numberof soiled dishes to be cleaned, the degree of soiling on the dishes, andthe like. Generally, from about 0.01 ml to about 150 ml, preferably fromabout 3 ml to about 40 ml of a liquid detergent composition of theinvention is combined with from about 2000 ml to about 20000 ml, moretypically from about 5000 ml to about 15000 ml of water in a sink havinga volumetric capacity in the range of from about 1000 ml to about 20000ml, more typically from about 5000 ml to about 15000 ml. The soileddishes are immersed in the sink containing the diluted compositions thenobtained, where contacting the soiled surface of the dish with a cloth,sponge, or similar article cleans them. The cloth, sponge, or similararticle may be immersed in the detergent composition and water mixtureprior to being contacted with the dish surface, and is typicallycontacted with the dish surface for a period of time ranged from about 1to about 10 seconds, although the actual time will vary with eachapplication and user. The contacting of cloth, sponge, or similararticle to the dish surface is preferably accompanied by a concurrentscrubbing of the dish surface.

Another method of the present invention will comprise immersing thesoiled dishes into a water bath or held under running water without anyliquid dishwashing detergent. A device for absorbing liquid dishwashingdetergent, such as a sponge, is placed directly into a separate quantityof undiluted liquid dishwashing composition for a period of timetypically ranging from about 1 to about 5 seconds. The absorbing device,and consequently the undiluted liquid dishwashing composition, is thencontacted individually to the surface of each of the soiled dishes toremove said soiling. The absorbing device is typically contacted witheach dish surface for a period of time range from about 1 to about 10seconds, although the actual time of application will be dependent uponfactors such as the degree of soiling of the dish. The contacting of theabsorbing device to the dish surface is preferably accompanied byconcurrent scrubbing.

Alternatively, the device may be immersed in a mixture of the handdishwashing composition and water prior to being contacted with the dishsurface, the concentrated solution is made by diluting the handdishwashing composition with water in a small container that canaccommodate the cleaning device at weight ratios ranging from about 95:5to about 5:95, preferably about 80:20 to about 20:80 and more preferablyabout 70:30 to about 30:70, respectively, of hand dishwashingliquid:water respectively depending upon the user habits and thecleaning task.

Dependent on the geography of use of the composition, the water used inthe method of the present invention can have a hardness level of about0-30 gpg (“gpg” is a measure of water hardness that is well known tothose skilled in the art, and it stands for “grains per gallon”).

The Process of Treating a Cleaning Device or Implement

In one embodiment we also aim to disinfect cleaning devices orimplements. More particularly the cleaning and disinfecting liquid isapplied “in its neat form”, directly onto a humid or dry cleaning deviceor implement such as a dish cloth, a sponge or a dish brush, and leftwithout undergoing any substantial dilution (ie. more than the humidityalready present in the cleaning device or implement prior to applyingthe disinfecting liquid) for about 30 seconds, preferably about 5minutes up to about 24 hours, i.e. till the next dishwashing process isinitiated.

The Process of Treating Skin or Hard Surfaces

In yet another embodiment, the liquid cleaning composition can appliedto a user's skin or to hard surfaces, such as dishware, cutting boardsand kitchen surfaces. More particularly the liquid cleaning compositionis applied “in its neat or in its diluted form”, directly or through animplement onto a humid or dry skin or a hard surface, such as a dishwareor kitchen surfaces, left to act for about 30 seconds, preferably about5 minutes up to about 24 hours, optionally followed by a rinsing step.

EXAMPLES

The below examples illustrate the improved antibacterial efficacyobserved when formulating divalent ions, such as Zn2+-ions, togetherwith linear alkyl amine oxide (table 1) versus when formulating divalentions, such as Zn2+-ions, together with non-linear alkyl amine oxides. Inparticular, Table 2 illustrates the non-linear cocoamidopropyl dimethylamine oxide and Tables 3 and 4 illustrate branched amine oxides.

The antibacterial efficacy was tested following the below Shake Flaskprotocol:

Materials:

-   -   Microbial strains: Staphylococcus aureus (SA) CIP 4.83,        Escherichia Coli (EC) CIP 53.126, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa (PA)        CIP 82.113    -   Culture media: TSA medium—Neutralizing medium (Dey Engley        Broth)—Buffered Peptoned water (BPW-F)—Shake flask        bottles—Physiological water    -   Incubator        Shake Flask Protocol: ASTM E2149 shake flask method    -   Inoculum counting:        -   For each strain, prepare an inoculum at 0.5 Mc Farland            (McF). Dilute 1 ml of the inoculum with 9 ml of            physiological water. Select 1 ml of the resulting dilution            and dilute again with 9 ml of physiological water. Execute 5            dilution steps accordingly so that a 10⁻⁵ dilution is            obtained.        -   Recover 100 microliter of the 10⁻⁵ dilution and inoculate 2            petri dishes.        -   Add 20 ml of TSA medium.        -   Incubate at 32+/−0.5° C. during 24 hours    -   Negative control:        -   Put 5 ml of SA, EC or PA inoculums into a shake flask. Add            45 ml of pure BPW-F solution.        -   Dilute twice in neutralizing medium: Recover 1 ml of the            pure solution and add 9 ml of the neutralizing medium (=10⁻¹            and 10⁻² dilution).        -   Wait 5 minutes and put 100 microliter of the pure solution            and the 10⁻² dilution into 2 petri dishes, add 20 ml of TSA            medium (T0).        -   Do the same operation after 1 hour (T1h).        -   Incubate at 32+/−0.5° C. during 24 hours    -   Sample testing:        -   Prepare a solution at a specified concentration (see data            tables for actual concentrations as 100% active—final volume            50 ml). For example, for a 50% (V/V), dilute 25 ml of            product with 20 ml of BPW-F and 5 ml of the inoculums (SA,            EC or PA) at 0.5 McF.        -   Dilute twice in neutralizing medium: Recover 1 ml of the            pure solution and add 9 ml of the neutralizing medium (=10⁻¹            and 10⁻² dilution).        -   Wait 5 minutes and put 100 microliter of the pure solution            and the 10⁻² dilution into 2 petri dishes, add 20 ml of TSA            medium (T0).        -   Do the same operation after 1 hour (T1h).        -   Incubate at 32+/−0.5° C. during 24 hours    -   Calculation of log reduction:        -   The log reduction is calculated as log(T0/T1h)

TABLE 1 Improved antibacterial efficacy of Zn2+ (from zinc carbonate(ZnCO3)) together with linear C12-14 alkyl dimethyl amine oxide (AO)versus linear C12-14 alkyl dimethyl amine oxide (AO) alone.     Logreduction (tested active concentration)       Zn2+ (58% active sol.)

    Zn2+ and Linear AO (AO/ZnCO3 active ratio = 48) E.coli 0.17 (0.1%)0.41 (0.1%) 2.03 (0.1%) St. Aureus 0.18 (0.1%) 0.73 (0.1%) 1.12 (0.1%)Ps Aeroginosa 0.27 (10%)  2.10 (10%)  3.07 (10%) 

As will be appreciated, the data in Table 1 illustrates that Zn2+ byitself does not directly contribute to the antibacterial activity of thecomposition.

TABLE 2 No antibacterial efficacy improvement of Zn2+ together withcocoamidopropyl dimethyl amine oxide (CAPAO) versus CAPAO alone.          Log reduction (tested active concentration)

          Zn 2+ and CAPAO (AO/ZnCO3 active ratio = 48) E.coli 0.37 (1%)0.38 (1%) St Aureus 0.88 (1%) 0.13 (1%) Ps. aeroginosa 1.3 (10%)  0.06(10%)

TABLE 3 No antibacterial efficacy improvement of Zn2+ together withsymmetrically branched dimethyl amine oxide versus symmetricallybranched dimethyl amine oxide alone.                 Log reduction(tested active concentration)

              Zn 2+ and Isalchem Mid Branched AO (AO/ZnCO3 active ratio= 48) E.Coli 2.6 (0.1%)  1.95 (0.1%) Ps Aeroginosa 3.29 (10%)  3.22(10%) 

TABLE 4 No Antibacterial efficacy improvement of Zn2+ together withmethyl branched dimethyl amine oxide versus methyl branched dimethylamine oxide alone.       Log reduction (tested active concentration)

    Zn 2+ and Shell Type 1 AO (AO/ZnCO3 active ratio = 48) St. Aureus4.06 (0.1%) 4.06 (0.1%) Ps. aeroginosa 3.98 (10%)  4.61 (10%) 

TABLE 5 Representative hand dishwashing liquid formula examples of thepresent invention comprising a divalent Zn salt: % Ingredients (100%active) Example 1 Example 2 NaCl 0.6 1.3 Sodium citrate 2 0 PEI polymer0.5 0.25 Polypropyleneglycol 1.2 1.6 (MW2000) Ethanol 3.5 4Alkylethoxysulphate 28 15 Linear Amine Oxide 7 5 Zn-Carbonate* 0.10*0.15* Perfume, preservative and dye Balance to 100 Balance to 100 *-Percentage based on amount Zn ion present.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm”.

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation ofany document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect toany invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in anycombination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests ordiscloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shallgovern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid cleaning and disinfecting compositioncomprising: a. a linear alkyl nucleophilic surfactant selected from thegroup of consisting of an anionic surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant,an amphoteric surfactant, semi-polar surfactant, and mixtures thereof;and b. a metal-salt.
 2. A liquid cleaning and disinfecting compositionaccording to claim 1, wherein the linear alkyl nucleophilic surfactantis a linear alkyl dimethyl amine oxide.
 3. A liquid cleaning anddisinfecting composition according to claim 1, wherein the linear alkylnucleophilic surfactant is a C12-14 linear alkyl dimethyl amine oxide.4. A liquid cleaning and disinfecting composition according to claim 1,wherein the metal salt is a polyvalent metal salt.
 5. A liquid cleaningand disinfecting composition according to claim 4, wherein polyvalentmetal salt is a divalent metal salt.
 6. A liquid cleaning anddisinfecting composition according to claim 5, wherein the polyvalentmetal salt is a Zn2+ salt.
 7. A liquid cleaning and disinfectingcomposition according to claim 6, wherein the Zn2+ salt is selected fromthe group consisting of Zn carbonate, Zn sulphate, Zn citrate andmixtures thereof.
 8. A liquid cleaning and disinfecting compositionaccording to claim 1, wherein the linear alkyl amine oxide comprisesfrom about 0.01% to about 20%, by weight of the composition.
 9. A liquidcleaning and disinfecting composition according to claim 1, wherein thecomposition comprises about 0.01% to about 20%, by weight of thecomposition, of the metal salt.
 10. A liquid cleaning and disinfectingcomposition according to claim 1, further comprising from about 4% toabout 40%, by weight of the total composition, of anionic surfactant.11. A liquid cleaning and disinfecting composition according to claim10, wherein said anionic surfactant is selected from the groupconsisting of alkyl sulfate, alkyl ethoxy sulfates and mixtures thereof.12. A liquid cleaning and disinfecting composition according to claim 1,further comprising from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight of the liquiddetergent composition of a nonionic surfactant selected from the groupconsisting of C8-C22 aliphatic alcohols with 1 to 25 moles of ethyleneoxide, alkylpolyglycosides, fatty acid amide surfactants, and mixturesthereof.
 13. A liquid cleaning and disinfecting composition according toclaim 1 further comprising an organic solvent which is present fromabout 0.01% to about 25%, by weight of the liquid detergent composition,and is selected from the group consisting of C4-14 ethers and diethers,glycols, alkoxylated glycols, C6-C16 glycol ethers, alkoxylated aromaticalcohols, aromatic alcohols, aliphatic branched alcohols, alkoxylatedaliphatic branched alcohols, alkoxylated linear C₁-C₅ alcohols, linearC₁-C₅ alcohols, amines, C₈-C₁₄ alkyl and cycloalkyl hydrocarbons andhalohydrocarbons, alkanolamines, terpenes and mixtures thereof.
 14. Aliquid cleaning and disinfecting composition according to claim 13wherein the organic solvent is selected from the group consisting ofethanol, benzyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.
 15. A liquid cleaning anddisinfecting composition according to claim 1 further comprising fromabout 0.01% to about 25%, by weight of the liquid detergent composition,of a hydrotrope selected from the group consisting of organic salts ofcumene sulphonate, xylene sulphonate, toluene sulphonate, inorganicsalts of cumene sulphonate, xylene sulphonate, toluene sulphonate, andmixtures thereof.
 16. A liquid cleaning and disinfecting compositionaccording to claim 1 further comprising at least one biocide selectedfrom the group consisting of a halogenated benzyl alcohol derivative, ahalogenated hydroxydiphenylether, a quaternary ammonium salt, analkylbenzethonium chloride, a peroxide bleach system, and mixturesthereof.
 17. A liquid cleaning and disinfecting composition according toclaim 1 further comprising from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight ofthe total composition of a sequestering agent selected from the groupconsisting of carboxylic acid based builders, amino carboxylatechelants, amino phosphonate chelants, polyfunctionally-substitutedaromatic chelating agents and mixtures thereof.
 18. A method of cleaningand disinfecting dishware and/or dishwashing implements and/or skin witha liquid cleaning and disinfecting composition according to claim 1,said method comprising the steps of applying the composition directly orindirectly onto the dishware and/or dishwashing implement and/or skin.19. A liquid cleaning and disinfecting composition comprising: a. alinear alkyl nucleophilic surfactant selected from the group ofconsisting of an anionic surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant, anamphoteric surfactant, semi-polar surfactant, and mixtures thereof; andb. a metal-salt, wherein the ratio of linear alkyl nucleophilicsurfactant to the metal ion is between about 10 to about
 300. 20. Aliquid cleaning and disinfecting composition comprising: a. a linearalkyl amine oxide; and b. a metal-salt, wherein the combined linearalkyl amine oxide and metal salt provide an improved antibacterialefficacy versus when testing the linear alkyl amine oxide alone, inaccordance with ASTM E2149 shake flask method.